THE PULFORD STREET SITE
[To the Editor of the SPEcrleron.]
SIR,—On July 14th, 1928, you were kind enough to print our appeal for £32,000 to acquire the Pulford Street Site in West- minster for housing purposes. During the 21 years that have since elapsed we have collected nearly £26,000, and are now endeavouring to collect the remaining £6,000. That widespread interest has been aroused is shown by donations received, which have ranged from £5,000 to 3d., and represent the sympathy of every class of citizen ; and as our expenses have been kept to 31 per cent., practically all the money sub- scribed has gone towards the purchase of the land.
The Westminster Housing Trust, Ltd. has now been formed as a Public Utility Society, under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, to develop the site. Mr. E. Vincent Harris, is completing plans of working-class flats which it is expected will accommodate about 900 people. Tim rents are to be kept at a reasonable figure, and it is proposed to have ample open space, as the site purchased by us has beea added to by a gift from the Duke of Westminster of an addi- tional half-acre of frontage. The total cost of the scheme is estimated at about £120,000, towards which the Westminster City Council is making a grant of 15 per cent., not to exceed £20,000. It is intended to raise the balance of this sum by issuing Loan Stock and £1 Ordinary shares, and a prospectus will shortly be circulated giving full details.
Working-class people have neither the money nor the time to travel long distances, they must live near their work, and this point we noticed was especially emphasised by Mr. Bossom in your issue of January 10th. A correspondent in the same number pointed out the extreme undesirability of underground tenements. Unfortunately, Westminster has many inhabited basements in which children as well as adults sleep, and we could quote sad instances of families living in overcrowded conditions in dark insanitary underground rooms.
Westminster contributes so much to the pleasure of the civilized world, with its lovely buildings and famous streets, its parks, its hotels, theatres, clubs, &c., that it is but fitting that the people who minister to that pleasure in so many humble ways should have, what is, after all, their birthright— a' healthy place in which to live and sleep. We should be glad to furnish any further information and still more grateful for contributions towards the £6,000 still needed, which may be sent to Lady Walston, Chairman of the Pulford Street Site Committee, 14 Carlos Place, W. 1.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ISABEL MARGESSON,
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